This resource provides advice and reference points for state and local governments who are looking to redesign rehabilitation and reentry programs to reduce high rates of recidivism and improve wages and employment in good jobs.

This initial guide details options for how state and local governments can build a system to match workers to – and maintain – good jobs in well-paying, high-demand fields.

High-speed broadband is an essential utility for Americans to learn, work, access public services, and engage with their government and community. Tens of millions of residents nationwide still lack reliable, high-quality broadband access. Without addressing broadband costs, it is unlikely communities will close the digital divide.

Creating avenues for populations with limited English proficiency (LEPs) to join and advance in the workforce, will promote equitable economic outcomes and accelerate economic recovery, by expanding the supply of skilled workers.

Improving access to mental and behavioral health services for primary and secondary school students, particularly in schools with higher concentrations of low-income students.

Every state in the US maintains an immunization registry where every COVID-19 vaccination is required by federal law to be reported. Yet, there is no standard way for these records to be shared with vaccinated individuals. States should work together to create a common approach to vaccination verification. Individuals accustomed to presenting their DCVR in one community can do so in any other location where DCVRs are commonly accepted. An effective verification mechanism provides a stronger incentive for vaccination, resulting in reduced hospitalizations and deaths.

An estimated 6-10 million lead service lines (LSLs) are still in use in US drinking water infrastructure, heavily concentrated in marginalized communities. Efficient replacement is critical, but expensive. Smart maps on LSLs improve replacement efficiency and reduce program costs.

Access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband is essential to full participation in modern American society. But the United States faces a persistent and growing “digital divide” — a gulf between those with access to and ability to use affordable, reliable broadband and those without. This persistent and growing divide is a barrier to equitable access to critical services and economic prosperity, with a disproportionate impact on low-income Americans, communities of color, and rural communities.

Today, approximately 29 million of the 123 million households in the United States do not have high-speed broadband. Despite the availability of affordable broadband plans for the last ten years, 20 million of these households, representing over 55 million people, are offline because they cannot afford an available Internet connection. Many of those unconnected are eligible for federal subsidy programs that are already in place, but either do not know about them or do not know how to sign up. Furthermore, in America’s most unconnected communities, where 38% of households do not have home broadband, 20-25% of these residents without broadband live in low-income apartment buildings. By installing infrastructure for free Wi-Fi into these buildings, we can make a significant impact on closing the digital divide.

Through a one-time investment of American Rescue Plan funds, state and local governments can expand national service programming, increase historically low living stipends, and increase the diversity of corps members and participating organizations.

Investments in housing affordability and sustainability have the potential to promote economic mobility, create new job opportunities, improve public health outcomes, and advance our long-term resilience to the impacts of climate change.